Telescopically collapsible box



Oct. 13, 1931. w. s. LUCKETT 1,827,396

TELESCOPICALLY COLLAPS IBLE BOX Filed April 22. 1929 INVEN TOR. mil/HM 5. lat/r577 ATTORNEYS.

Patented Oct. 13, 1931 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE WILLIAM s. Lucxnm; on NEW YORK, N. Y., AssmNon TO THE AMEnIcAN ToBAcco comrANY, on NEW YORK, N. 1., A CORPORATION on NEW JERSEY TELESCOPICALL'Y COLLAPSIBLE BOX Application filed April 22', 1929. Serial No. 357,102.

The invention is an improvement in a telescopically collapsible box, and more part cularly in a box or can designed for containing smoking tobacco for retailing.

The usual construction of pocket tobacco box is of considerable depth, and the tobacco is usually somewha$l compressed 1n the box. It is usual to dislodge and loosen the contents with a finger, and as the box empties, it becomes increasingly diflicult to reach the tobacco in order to dislodge it to provide a free flowing stream.

One of the primary objects of the present invention is the provision of a box constructed of telescopic sections, so connected that as the contents of the box are removed, the

box may be collapsed to lessen the length thereof, thereby to facilitate access to the tobacco.

Another object is the provision of a box wherein the telescopic sections may be quickly assembled, and wherein the sections may be separated from each other without deformation.

Another object is the provision of a box of this character, so constructed that it difl'ers but slightly in appearance from "the usual box and wherein the difference in appearance is practically negligible when a label is in place;

Another object is to provide a construction such that the cost of the box is not materially increased, and wherein a smooth and flat joint is provided between the sections.

With these and other objects in view the invention consists in the construction and novel combination of partsfully described hereinafter, illustrated in the accompanyingv drawings, and pointed out in the claims appended hereto, it being understood that various changes in the form, proportion, size and minor details of construction within the scope of the claims, may be resorted without departing from the spirit of the inven-.

tion.

In the drawings forming a part hereof Fig. 1 is a perspective view of the improved box extended. I

Figs. 2 and 4 are sections on thelines 22 and 44 of Fig. 1.

Fig. 3 is a view similar to Fig. 2 with the box collapsed.

In the present embodiment of the invention, the improved box, usually of sheet metal or the like, and oblong in cross section, is composed of an uppersection 1, and a lower section 2, the sections being of dimensions to telescope one'within the other.

In the present arrangement, the lower end of the upper section fits within the upper end of the lower section, so that the upper section will telescope into the lower section. The lower section 2 is provided with a bottom 3, seamed tothe lower end thereof, and forming a closure at the said end of the box.. A flanged cover 4; is hinged to' on one section, the upper in the present instance, which slide in ooves 8 on the other section, in the present instance, the lower.

The bosses 7 are formed by stamping the section wall, to provide a depression on the inner face, and a boss on the outer face, and the grooves 8 are formed in the same manner. The grooves and bosses of the sections are so positioned with relation to each other, that the bosses engage in the grooves, and the grooves are vertical, and of a length such thatthe upper section may collapse into the position of Fig.3, at about the time the bosses reach the lower ends of the grooves.

As indicated in Figs. 1 and 4, four bosses are provided in the upper section, and four grooves in the lower section. The bosses and grooves are arranged on the relatively wide flat faces of the box, and near the commencement of the curvature of the ends, thus to provide for some stifl'ness at the points occupied by the bosses and grooves. The up' per section is of a length such that it may be telescoped within the lower section, approximately the full depth thereof, or until the bead 6 is at or near the top of the lower telescopically fitting within the lower section,

section.

In the use of the improved box, the tobacco is first wrapped in a package, and the package is inserted into the box, both of these operations being done by machinery. The Wrapped package may be inserted in the box after the sections are assembled, or it may be inserted in the lower section, and the upper section fitted into place.

The sections are easily assembled, it only being necessary to push the lower end of the upper section into the upper end of the lower section, until the bosses interlock. The box is then stably held against accidental displacement of the sections, which stable position is aided by the tobacco in the con tainer. It will be apparent that as the tobacco is exhausted, the sections may be telescoped farther, to keep the level of the tobacco always near the top of the box.

The groove and boss connection between the sections, serves as a guiding means in the relative movement of the sections. Without some such means to guide and to hold the sections in coaxial arrangement during collapsing, there is a liability to jamming The arrangement also limits the movement of the sections away from each other against the possibility of accidental displacement, and the bosses engage the groove with sufficient friction to hold the parts extended during the insertion of the tobacco package. It will be apparent that the groove and boss connection revents movement of one side of the box faster than the other in collapsing, and insures that the two sides of the box will move together at a uniform rate.

What is claimed as new is 1. A pocket tobacco box composed of two telescopic sections, one provided with a bottom, and the other with a hinged cover, the sections having complemental stamped out bosses and grooves, the grooves'in one section extending longitudinally of the section from near the bottom to near the top, the bosses of the other section fitting within the grooves of the first section, thereby to provide a slidable connection between the sections.

2. A pocket tobacco box composed of two telescopic sections, each having oppositely placed .relatively wide flat walls, and oppositely placed relatively, narrow rounded walls, the sections being of a size to fit one within the other, the inner section having stamped-out bosses, and the outer section having stamped-out internal grooves extending from near one end to near the other for receiving the bosses, said grooves being near the junction of the flat walls with the rounded Walls, in spaced relation along opposite flat walls.

3. A pocket tobacco box comprising upper and lower sections, the upper section the lower section having parallel spaced longitudinal internal grooves stamped therein along opposite walls thereof, and the upper section having projections stamped out on its outer face in spaced relation and corresponding to the grooves in the outer section for longitudinal movement therein when the parts are assembled, the top of the lower section and the bottom of the upper section being opened to permit assembly and disassembly of the parts without deformation.

Signed at New York city, in the county of New York and State of New York, this 5th day of April, A. D. 1929.

LLIAM S. LUCKETT. 

